Delray Water Rate May Rise Plant To Open For Christmas

July 30, 1992|By CAROL LEWIS-BOHANNON, Staff Writer

DELRAY BEACH -- The city`s foul water will improve in quality and taste, but residents will have to pour out more money to help quench expenses for a new water-softening plant set to open by year`s end.

The softening process, which uses a lime treatment, will put an end to the hard, dingy-colored, bad-tasting water that has plagued the city for decades, city workers said on Wednesday.

``It will drastically improve the water in Delray Beach,`` said Bill Greenwood, director of environmental services. ``It will increase the clarity of water to where it`s nice and clear.``

To help cover expenses, City Manager David Harden this week proposed a 5 percent increase in water and sewage rates.

The $700,000 generated from the hike would hire a chemist and help cover operating costs. The April 1990 Water and Sewer Revenue Bond for utility projects covered construction of the $5 million plant.

For the average resident who uses about 7,000 gallons of water monthly, the monthly water and sewer bill would increase by $1.90, from $38.15 to $40.05, said Jan Williams, the city`s utility billing manager.

``It`s very minimal,`` she said. ``Most people complain a lot about the water.``

The proposal comes 16 months after the city imposed a 25 percent increase in water and sewer rates. Before that, residents had not seen an increase since 1984, Williams said.

Arthur Brodie, a resident of the Hamlet, said he supports the increase if it delivers what it promises.

Brodie buys about five gallons of bottled water a week and uses a softener and filter system at home.

``If the water is as good as they say it will be, I would not need all of the systems,`` Brodie said. ``I probably would come out ahead of the game and save some money.``

The proposal must be approved by commissioners, who will review the 1992-93 budget on Aug. 4.

The billing change could be reflected on billing statements as early as October and as late as January, Williams said.

The city is the last in the county to install a softening plant, Greenwood said. Boca Raton and Boynton Beach have had softening systems since the early 1960s.

For years, residents have complained that the water looks bad, tastes bad, is difficult to lather and leaves a scummy residue in bathtubs and sinks.

Adding lime to the water removes calcium, magnesium and iron, all naturally occuring minerals that are dissolved in hard water.

The process will take two-thirds of the minerals out of water, Greenwood said.

The plant is under construction on Swinton Avenue, and the contractor has promised it will be operating for Dec. 25.

``We are real excited about the plant,`` Greenwood said. ``I know the residents will be very, very pleased when it comes out of the spigot on Christmas.``

WATER AND SEWER RATES

A proposed 5 percent increase in water and sewer rates would generate about $700,000 next year. The money would cover personnel and operations at the water-softening plant when it opens in December. Residents would see increases based on amount of water they use. For example: